HSG Test at Cloudnine Fallopian Tube and Uterine Evaluation, Clearly Explained

HSG stands for Hysterosalpingography a fertility diagnostic test that uses X-ray imaging and a contrast dye to evaluate the uterus and fallopian tubes. Breaking the word down makes it simple: hystero refers to the uterus, salpingo to the fallopian tubes, and gram to the X-ray image.

During the procedure, a thin catheter delivers a small amount of iodine-based contrast dye into the uterus through the cervix. As the dye flows through the uterus and along the fallopian tubes, a fluoroscopy machine (real-time X-ray) captures images. The test typically takes 15–30 minutes and is done as an outpatient procedure.

HSG tells your specialist whether your fallopian tubes are open (patent) or blocked, and whether the uterine cavity has any structural issues such as polyps, fibroids, or scarring. It can also have a modest "flushing effect" on fertility see The Flushing Effect. For who needs it and how it compares to HyCoSy, see When You Need an HSG and HSG vs HyCoSy.